Global Nazarene Youth International leaders provided leadership development training to India Field’s NYI Council members in Bangalore 20 to 21 October 2018.

Every district in the India Field has an active NYI ministry made up of more than 23,000 youth. Numerically, the India Field has the sixth largest NYI membership in the world. Global NYI leaders thought it was imperative to train the India Field NYI Council and district leaders with basics of NYI and leadership development.

India Field NYI Coordinator Vijay Bhalerao gathered NYI district presidents and district representatives at Bangalore.

On day one, they received leadership training through various physical activities at a center called Breakthrough. Leadership lessons included the following:

•    Leadership is sharing and utilizing every member’s creativity and contribution towards achieving a goal.
•    United efforts bring faster and better results.
•    Christ’s love has the potential to turn the attackers into the protectors.
•    Christian humility
•    Proper, constant mentoring and encouragement brings out the best from the team members and helps them overcome fear.

Day two began with a devotional by Simon Jyothi, principal of South Asia Nazarene Bible College, to develop the character of Nazarene youth so they are ready for both the present and the future.

Former Global NYI Director Gary Hartke shed light on three essentials of the Global NYI mission: BE DO GO. He shared information about online NYI resources and encouraged the field council members to translate the material into local languages. He provided essential leadership development training based on four C’s: Competence, Character, Commitment, and Chemistry. He also provided training on models of fundraising.

India Field Communications Coordinator Rajiv Yangad presented five definitives of discipleship, and a Timothy Award was presented to Thangchinkhup Singson from North East India District for his years of leadership and service to local and district NYI.

“I have understood the core of leadership through these meetings,” said Shreya Yangad, a representative from Central Maharashtra District. “I am highly impressed with the Christlike humility of the leaders here and I plan to imitate them in my life.”

The event wasn’t only a time for hard work. Eurasia NYI Leader Diego Lopez remembers the fellowship and enthusiasm that the participants shared with one another.

“We had a great time together,” Lopez said. “Everyone participated very enthusiastically, and together we committed to continue helping develop leaders for the benefit of the local church. There was a lot of energy in the room. We all went away hopeful for India and its future.”

The mix of enthusiasm for the future of the local church and the desire to emulate Christ among the leadership in India was encouraging for all who were present.

“It is so encouraging to see several districts supporting their NYI leaders to attend the training,” Bhalerao said. “I am committed to training NYI leaders throughout the year on the district level. I am sure the training provided here is going to build the district youth for Christlike leadership."

--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia